“For all members of the media who engage in the modern-age bloodsport of celebrity-death-watch-by-internet-rumour-spreading, we hope you feel the shame and shoddiness of your ‘work’.”

Mainman Lemmy was the subject of similar rumours in 2013 after his own health problems caused concert call-offs and led to a significant lifestyle change. At the time Campbell said: “Contrary to some reports, Lem is alive and kicking – take no notice of these rumours from asshole tweeters.”